Take Back the Night and Male Allies

You are interested in supporting women’s rights, safety and ending violence in our community. AMAZING!

Your support is an important part of this event and our movement to end violence. We love to see our male allies coming out to cheer us on.

For info on what you can do RIGHT NOW to help prevent gender violence click here. For thoughts on what it means to be an ally by Jamia Wilson check out her awesome article in Rookie Mag.

Take Back the Nights started as a response to the mythical idea that women need male protection to walk safely at night. Take Back the Night is a response to all the “rules” that women are told to follow in order to be safe in our lives — “don’t go out late at night”, “dress a certain way”, or “walk in well-lit areas”.

Because of this, we continue to organize Take Back the Night as a women-only space to honour this history and to reaffirm women’s strength. During this event, we ask male allies to come to the male allies event or to cheer us on from the sidelines.Continue reading

Take Back the Night is coming up on Thursday, September 17th. We’re taking some time before the event to look at some of the reasons folks might not want to come to TBTN.

Reasons Not to Come to TBTN #3 – I don’t belong there

Some folks worry that Take Back the Night is only for survivors. Or only for survivors who have told their story. Or only for survivors who speak about their story in a certain way or are in a certain place in their healing journey. Or only for activists.

Take Back the Night is coming up on Thursday, September 17th. We’re taking some time before the event to look at some of the reasons folks might not want to come to TBTN.

Reason #2 – I didn’t know that sexual assault is an issue in Hamilton.

It makes sense that you have not heard that sexual assault is a problem in Hamilton because sexual assault is still not talked about and very hidden. One in three women and one in six men will experience sexual assault in their lifetime.

Part of Take Back the Night is letting people know that sexual assault is still an issue in our community and to also let folks know that people care about ending violence.

For many folks either being a person who cares about ending sexual violence or being a survivor of violence is a really isolating experience.

Joining hundreds and hundreds of others fighting sexual assault at TBTN can be a powerful reminder that you are not alone – either in your experiences, or in taking a stand against sexual violence.Continue reading

Take Back the Night is coming up on Thursday, September 17th. We’re taking some time before the event to look at some of the reasons folks might not want to come to TBTN.

Reason #1 – I’ve never heard of Take Back the Night

We’ve been celebrating Take Back the Night in Hamilton since 1981 and unfortunately lots of folks have still not heard about it. Just like lots of folks in Hamilton don’t know about the amazing work that SACHA is doing.

Let your friends know about how they can take action to end gendered violence.